How does each genre of story speak to our lives? In our season finale, we review all the genres we've covered this year and how they can help us see our stories in meaningful ways. Plus, Derrick gives some important announcements regarding the future of the podcast in 2024, including changes to the format and name!

How do works of philosophy, personal development, psychology, history, theology, and biographies improve our life stories? In this sequel to our Why We Love Fiction episode, we discuss the ways non-fiction both affirms and challenges our beliefs, with examples from works in the Great Books of Western Civilization Cannon. Derrick also shares recommended books about storytelling and Narrative Therapy.

Why should you bother giving your precious time to reading long-form novels about things that never really happened? In this episode, we discuss how fiction contains Truth that can help you become a more empathetic person, better understand your cultural context, and ultimately wrestle with what it means to be human.

How will your story be remembered? What will you leave behind for the next generation? Today, we discuss legacy, and how it allows us to take an active role in shaping our future. We explore legacy from all different angles, including letters from deceased loved ones, the book of Ecclesiastes, Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, and the contrast between the young genius and the old sage.

What does it look like to have a healthy relationship with your past? This week, we dive into the phenomenon that is nostalgia, and why we cling to it in these uncertain times. We also explore the ways we engage with our memories, using examples from The Twilight Zone, Spider-Man, and My Chemical Romance.

You ever get tired of New Years' Resolutions? Is there something important you've been putting off that want to do this year? Maybe this year we can try a different approach: thinking of a new year as the next chapter in the story of our lives. Derrick kicks off 2023 with a reflection on the 'call to adventure', Jordan Peterson, and the patterns we live into.